The Actor Yamashita Kosasaburo c. 1720

This ukiyo-e print, "The Actor Yamashita Kosasaburo," by Katsukawa Terushige, depicts a popular kabuki actor playing a shamisen. The actor is shown seated on a stage, with a box and a book visible in the background. Terushige's work is known for its vibrant colors and detailed lines, capturing the dynamic performance of kabuki actors. This print, created in c. 1720, exemplifies the early style of ukiyo-e, a genre that flourished in Edo-period Japan and is renowned for depicting everyday life, popular culture, and theater.